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11
Computer Programmers
Will I need a degree? Yes, a bachelor's degree.
How much money could I make? Computer
programmers earned $86,550, on average, in 2019.
Will it be hard to find a job as a computer
programmer? Possibly. ese jobs are declining
(-9 percent projected growth) with a projected
employment change of -20,100 jobs by 2029.
Will I need to do on-the-job training? No.
e Bureau of Labor Statistics says that "computer
programmers write and test code that allows computer
applications and soware programs to function
properly. ey turn the program designs created by
soware developers and engineers into instructions
that a computer can follow." However, the BLS
says, "computer programming can be done from
anywhere in the world, so companies sometimes hire
programmers in countries where wages are lower."
Most computer programmers work full-time in
offices, writing and testing code that allows computer
applications and soware programs to function
properly. Programmers usually work alone, but they
can work with other specialists on large projects and
collaborate with other stakeholders in the corporation.
As a computer programmer, I might spend my days
doing things like:
• Writing programs in computer languages like C++
and Java
• Updating and expanding existing programs
• Testing programs for errors and fixing faulty lines
of computer code
• Creating and testing code in an integrated
development environment (IDE)
• Using code libraries to simplify the code
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers
